Old Time Broccoli Opposite Salad
The smell in my car is absolutely awful (not the salad — the broccoli that escaped!). I’m fairly certain I’ll have to sell the car because that odor seems impossible to remove. In my experience, a bad car smell rarely goes away; if it’s truly bad, you either live with it or get rid of the car. It’s a real problem.
But before I tell you more about that pungent demon, I have to talk about this Broccoli Salad. Somehow I had forgotten how incredible this old-fashioned broccoli salad is. Thank goodness my new co-worker, Jimmy Sue, reminded me with her delicious version of the dish.
Picture the bright interplay of sweet and tangy on your tongue. Now imagine a contrast of crunchy and chewy textures, the lively snap of fresh broccoli against rich, savory ingredients — and yes, bacon. The smoky, salty bite of crisp bacon lifts the whole salad. Can you taste it yet? Those opposing flavors and textures are exactly what make this salad so memorable.
In fact, I think “Broccoli Opposite Salad” would be a perfect name — a nod to those complementary contrasts. This recipe is a throwback: I remember it from church potlucks when I was a child, and I’ve also seen it in a recipe collection that belonged to my daughter’s husband’s grandmother. I suspect it was popular in the mid-1970s.
I promise to share only recipes your family will ask for again — and this is one of them. Here’s proof: as a child I hated broccoli, yet I would happily eat this salad. The dressing and mix-ins mask the broccoli just enough that picky eaters often don’t even notice.
Yes, the recipe includes sugar. You might wonder if you can substitute honey, cut the sugar in half, or omit it altogether. You can, but it won’t taste the same. My mother used a scant tablespoon of sugar because she felt the raisins provided plenty of sweetness; she also used a light, nearly flavorless mayonnaise substitute. Times and tastes change, so my recommendation is to make the salad as written the first time, then tweak to your liking later. If you’re trying to get non-vegetable-loving kids or partners to eat it, start with the full-flavored version and adjust afterward.
It’s basically broccoli candy!
These days I enjoy broccoli regularly. Look at me — I love it now! 
One thing I don’t love about broccoli: it rolls. If it gets loose in your grocery bag, it can disappear for days. If you drive infrequently and the broccoli wanders into your car, you can end up with a lingering, unpleasant smell. That’s exactly what happened to me — a week in a hot car and the smell became almost unbearable. I tried airing the car out and even went to a professional car wash. I explained the situation to the attendant; he sprayed an air freshener. Now my car smells like coconut-scented rotten broccoli. Charming.
If anyone with a weak nose is in the market for an SUV at a good price, let me know.
Need MORE Broccoli Info?
How to Freeze Broccoli
How to Boil Broccoli
Blanch Broccoli
How to Cook Frozen Broccoli
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
THE RECIPE FOR Old Time Broccoli Opposite Salad
THE RECIPE FOR Old Time Broccoli Opposite Salad 
Old Time Broccoli Opposite Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 Cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbs Balsamic Vinegar
- ⅓ scant cup white granulated sugar
- 2 Large bunches of broccoli crowns only, cut into small one-inch pieces or smaller
- 8-10 pieces bacon – fried crispy ok to cook in microwave and crush
- ½ – 1 Cup raisins
- ¼ cup red onion – chopped small
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
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The night before you serve the salad, whisk together mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, and sugar in a medium bowl. Mix well and refrigerate overnight.
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Cut the broccoli crowns into small one-inch pieces (or smaller) and set aside.
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Cook the bacon until crispy (or microwave on paper towels until crunchy), then crumble into small bits. Chop the red onion and pecans into small pieces.
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Combine broccoli, bacon, raisins, red onion, and pecans in a large bowl. Pour the chilled dressing over the mixture and fold gently with a spatula until well coated. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again before serving. Keeps about a week and is best on day two.
Notes
Nutrition
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR Old Time Broccoli Opposite Salad
- Cut the broccoli into small pieces so each bite has a mix of textures and the dressing can coat every floret.
- If you forget to mix the dressing the night before, chill it for several hours to let the flavors meld.
- After assembling the salad, refrigerate for several hours before serving — it tastes better after it rests.
- The salad is even better on day two.
- This yields a generous amount, perfect for potlucks or holiday gatherings.
- Make it several days ahead and keep refrigerated for holiday meals.
- Pairs well with typical hot Thanksgiving and Christmas side dishes.
- You can substitute dried cranberries or cherries for the raisins for a tasty variation.
- Do not leave broccoli unattended in your car — trust me on this one.
A VERSE TO SHARE
I notice quotes and conversations online that dismiss Christianity as a fairy tale, and I’ve encountered believers who struggle with core biblical ideas: the virgin birth, creation, Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, or even the reality of the crucifixion. Doubt affects many people, not only outspoken skeptics.
Do I know every biblical event as fact? No. I don’t know everything. What I do believe is that God has given us a story to learn from, and belief is a choice. I accept that neither I nor anyone else knows it all. Science has advanced our understanding but has also revised itself many times; that doesn’t make faith unreasonable. For me, faith in Jesus Christ is an everlasting truth, and I see room for both faith and science in understanding the world.
Jesus said those who believe without seeing are blessed — that describes my stance. Belief is not the same as empirical proof, and that’s okay. My belief is as valid for me as your reasoning is for you.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. The others told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were together again, with Thomas present. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:19-29